A poetry reading event featuring renowned Japanese actress Sayuri Yoshinaga was held at the Satake Memorial Hall, Higashi-Hiroshima Campus on November 23. The event, titled "Poetry Reading with Sayuri Yoshinaga: Wishing for a World Without War and Nuclear Weapons," attracted over 500 attendees, including students, faculty, and staff.

This occasion commemorated the 75+75th anniversary of the university's founding, set to be celebrated in 2024. It also featured guitarist Soichi Muraji, known for his performances with the NHK Symphony Orchestra and other prestigious orchestras in Japan and abroad.

President Mitsuo Ochi opened the event by acknowledging Yoshinaga's lifelong dedication to reciting A-bomb poems. 

"Ms. Yoshinaga, one of Japan's most famous actors, has devoted her life to reading A-bomb poems, emphasizing the tragedy of war and the preciousness of peace both in Japan and abroad. This reading session was made possible by the passionate wishes of many students and young doctors at the university. I hope that this event will encourage people to contemplate the tragedy of war and the value of peace, especially in a time when global unrest is spreading," he said.

Before the reading session, the Hiroshima University Shinonome Mixed Chorus Pastoral, a student group affiliated with the Hiroshima University Musical Conference on the Higashi-Hiroshima Campus, performed three choral pieces centered on the theme of peace, including "Orizuru" (Paper Cranes) by Shihei Umehara.

During the reading session, Yoshinaga recited A-bomb poems, such as "Prologue" by Sankichi Toge and “Umashimenkana” (Bringing Forth New Life) by Sadako Kurihara, accompanied by Muraji on the guitar. 

The audience was captivated by Yoshinaga's evocative narration and Muraji's melodic tones. This event provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to reflect on the significance of peace, aligning with one of the university's guiding principles, "the pursuit of peace.”